The Dodgers' Yasiel Puig reacts after hitting a triple in the third inning against the Royals on Wednesday. COLIN E. BRALEY, AP

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – What could be more compelling sports programming – Clayton Kershaw pursuing a no-hitter, nearly a perfect game no less, with Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully on play-by-play?

The 46,069 at Dodger Stadium were certainly riveted even without Scully’s account. But according to reported Nielsen ratings, only 52,000 viewers were able to watch last Wednesday’s game on SportsNet LA – until ESPN and MLB Network aired their broadcast for the late innings.

“I don’t know what to make about ratings,” Dodgers team president and CEO Stan Kasten said. “I do know in terms of the metrics we deal with – ticket sales, sponsorships, etc. – everything is up, it’s very strong. Facebook followers, Twitter followers. It’s really a golden era for the Dodgers.

“I don’t know the context of it. So I really don’t know what to make of it.”

The context is fairly simple. A year ago, the Dodgers averaged 226,000 viewers per game for their local broadcasts. With those broadcasts now moved to Time Warner in the first year of a TV-rights deal that created a Dodgers-devoted channel and will pay the team more than $8 billion over the next 25 years, less than a quarter of that number tuned in because of Time Warner’s inability to work out distribution deals with any other cable operator (other than the limited Bright House Networks). Only 30 percent of the Dodgers’ TV market is covered by Time Warner.

As the Dodgers reach the mid-point of their 2014 schedule, the power struggle among corporate giants – Time Warner and, primarily, DirectTV – has dragged on far beyond what Dodger fans were willing to tolerate. Kasten would not say if the length of the negotiations to secure distribution deals was a shock to him or might have been expected given the high stakes involved.

“I just don’t want to discuss that,” he said. “Disappointed, for sure. This is something we literally work on every single day of our lives.”

Kasten would not get more specific. But he clearly chafes – an understatement – at media coverage that has at times portrayed the Dodgers as somehow willing accomplices in keeping their own fans in the cable darkness.

“All I can tell you is it’s very complicated with a number of different parties,” Kasten said, leaving unsaid the fact that two major parties (Time Warner and DirectTV) are each involved in mergers with two other parties (Comcast and AT&T U-verse, respectively). “I think there are many reasons why. But because there is so much going on behind the scenes, we have decided to just not say anything publicly. In my experience with complicated negotiations, public statements – particularly inflammatory ones – do not aid in getting to a resolution. And all that concerns me now is getting to a positive resolution – more than getting a few points in the media by making some statements.”

All the hard work Kasten refers to has produced nothing to this point – not even much reason to hope that a resolution is near. In fact, sources close to the negotiations claim DirectTV representatives have not been involved in any discussions over the past two weeks. Even an overture from Dodgers’ co-owner Magic Johnson was not returned.

SHOULDER INJURIES

Hanley Ramirez was not in the lineup for the second consecutive day because of soreness in his right shoulder.

Manager Don Mattingly said Ramirez was feeling better but did not participate in the pregame workout. Mattingly said Ramirez will be examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache when the team returns to Los Angeles on Thursday and will most likely have an MRI .

Two weeks ago, Ramirez was diagnosed with irritation in the AC joint of his right shoulder and received a cortisone injection.

Meanwhile, top prospect Joc Pederson returned to Albuquerque after injuring his right shoulder Tuesday. Pederson underwent an MRI and was diagnosed with a Grade 1 separation of his AC joint. According to the Dodgers, Pederson is “anticipated” to be out for “at least 10 days.” The outfielder was among the Pacific Coast League leaders in several categories, batting .319 with 17 home runs, 42 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

BENCH SWAP

The Dodgers swapped a left-handed bat for a right-handed bat on their bench, promoting left-handed hitting first baseman Clint Robinson from Triple-A Albuquerque, where he hit .309 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI in 77 games. Right-handed hitting outfielder Jamie Romak was designated for assignment after going 1 for 21 with the Dodgers. If Romak clears waivers, he could be re-assigned to Albuquerque.

Robinson was standing on the top step of the dugout and headed to the plate to bat during the May 20 game when Triple-A teammates Miguel Olivo and Alex Guerrero fought in the dugout. During the altercation, Olivo bit off a large chunk of Guerrero’s ear.

“The most intense thing I’ve ever seen on a baseball field,” Robinson said. “I’ve seen some teammate scuffles over the years. But nothing like that.”

Guerrero has reported to the Dodgers’ training complex in Arizona to begin baseball activities for the first time since the incident. Guerrero underwent surgery to reattach the severed portion of his ear and was only recently allowed to do any physical activities while allowing the reattachment to take.

NOTES

Third baseman Juan Uribe, out since May 20 because of a hamstring injury, has completed his minor-league injury-rehabilitation assignment and is expected to rejoin the Dodgers and be activated Thursday. ...

Outfielder Carl Crawford has been cleared to start hitting in batting cages as part of his workouts in Arizona. Crawford is on the DL because of an ankle injury and experienced a setback over a week ago.

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